Hubei - Dragon Skin - Blue
Ridge - China Mountain
There
is evidence of turquoise use in China dating at least as far
back as 1700 BC as evidenced by a bronze plaque with turquoise
overlay from the Erlitou culture site in Menan Province displayed
at the Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing. Although some
turquoise was mined in China in ancient times, more commonly
is was acquired in trade with Mongols, Persians, and Turks.
Mostly the Chinese used turquoise for carvings and other art.
Jade has been the preferred stone for jewelry in Chinese culture.
The Tibetans, on the other hand, have preferred turquoise
to any other gemstone and virtually every Tibetan possesses
some turquoise. Believed to bring good luck, it is worn set
in rings and bracelets, as beads in necklaces, and as adornment
directly on hats and other clothing. Domestic animals such
as horses wear necklaces of felt with turquoise sewn on.
Today China has mines that produce a great deal of turquoise.
Northwest of Shanghai is the Ma'ashan turquoise mine, and
the Hubei Province produces turquoise in colors reminiscent
of the now closed mines in Nevada. This turquoise ranges in
color from sky blue to spring green as well. Today there are
no known producing mines.
Chinese turquoise has usually been stabilized, meaning a clear
epoxy has been applied to the surface to harden the stone
before setting. A side effect of the process is that stabilized
stone is less likely to absorb lotions and body oils, which
may change the color of the stone over time.
Turquoise from mines in China accounts for about 80% of the
stone on the U.S. market today, due to the scarcity of American
turquoise. Only a handful of turquoise mines in the American
southwest are commercially operating.
